Jesus is Not a Genie

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12:38-42, Luke 11:29-32

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. 

We have been at a home where Jesus is talking to Pharisees. 

The Pharisees aren't the only ones in the home. Actually the house is so full of people we, the disciples of Jesus, and Jesus didn't have a place to eat the meal offered by the host. 

You know that look on someone's face when they want to cause trouble. They haven't said a word yet but the intent is there. Their eyebrows are lowered. Their eyes a bit squinted. They whisper to their buddies. These words describe the Pharisees at this moment. 

One of the Pharisees took the lead and said to Jesus, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

Even I knew this is not Jesus' purpose for His work. He is not a genie.

"Only a person with no respect would say, "Do a miracle for me," like they wanted to see magic or entertainment. 

Jesus said, "Only an evil, faithless nation would ask for a sign of proof of My Words. I won't give any except the sign that was given to the prophet Jonah, which was a sign for all mankind. 

"Just as Jonah lived for three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so I, the Messiah, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 

"The men of Ninevah will rise up at the judgement and condemn you.

"When Jonah preached to them, they repented of their evil ways and, believing the message, turned to God.

"And now, one far greater than Jonah is here. And you, the leaders and teachers of the people refuse to believe in him.

"Even the Queen of Sheba will rise up against this generation in the judgement. How is this so? She came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now one far greater than Solomon is here and you, the leaders and teachers of the people refuse to believe in him.

"This generation is like a man who has an evil spirit. When the evil spirit is forced to leave, it goes through the aired places looking for a place to rest and does not find it. The evil spirit says, 'I will go back to the man.' When it arrives, it finds the man's heart clean but empty. The evil spirit calls seven spirits, all more wicked than itself and welcomes them to live in the man's heart. The man, who once had been free of the evil spirit, is now in far worse condition."

A woman who heard what Jesus said to the Pharisees shouted, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and fed you."

Jesus said, "Yes, but even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice."

The Pharisees did not leave. They seemed bent on starting an argument. I will continue the next time. 

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.